Love your gut: How important is gut health?
Sis, have you checked up on your gut health lately? How is it doing?
Do you understand the importance of gut health to your overall well-being?
I love and adore my sistas, and it is, for this reason, I would like to share with you some facts about ways to keep your digestive system healthy and in check. There’s plenty of evidence to show that a healthy gut leads to a healthy life. Yet, many women are not fully aware of the reasons why.
It can be tricky, though. If you’ve never really paid much attention to your gut, it can be challenging to start when your body shows you signs that your gut may not be well. If you are experiencing uncomfortable or unfamiliar symptoms and can’t seem to get to the bottom of it, then you may need to start focusing on your gut health and give it some tender-loving-care.
In this article, we will dive into how your gut affects your body, the signs of an unhealthy gut, and various ways that you can improve your gut health.
How Your Gut Health Affects Your Body
Would you be alarmed if I told you that over 70% of the body’s immune response could be found in the gut? Your digestive system is a critical part of your body’s overall function. When you eat and drink, every item plays its role in either strengthening or weakening your gut flora.
Gut flora is the living microbes and other vital microorganisms in the gut that helps your body to digest its food and convert it into nutrients. Your body contains trillions of these bacteria, and their sole purpose is to keep you healthy.
However, an imbalance in your gut flora (more bad bacteria vs. good) can lead to many health issues. Once symptoms appear, it is usually a sign that your gut needs some tender, loving care. The good news is you can rebalance your gut through the use of probiotics and a diet full of gut-friendly foods.
Signs of an Unhealthy Gut
Did you know that, “…up to 30 to 40 percent of the population has functional bowel problems at some point.” (hopkinsmedicine.org)
If you are eating primarily foods that lack nutrients or are high in saturated fats, refined sugars, heavily processed, and greasy, chances are you may be amongst the 30% – 40% experiencing bowel issues.
Are you that girl? You know, the one who doesn’t hesitate to pull up to her favorite fast food spot and order her favorite combo with fries, goes extra heavy on the sauces, and absolutely must have a diet soda on the side?
If junk food is your love language, then now may be time to change your love language to something that won’t sabotage your gut health. If you have been suffering from any of the symptoms below, it may indicate that your gut may not be as healthy as you were thinking.
What are the key signs that your gut may be in trouble?
- The #1 condition is usually an upset stomach (to include abdominal pain, abdominal cramping, excessive gas, excessive burping, excessive bloating, constipation, diarrhea, etc.)
- Persistent skin problems that are hard to heal (eczema)
- Rapid or steady weight gain
- Autoimmune conditions
- Food allergies or intolerances
- Dehydration
- Mood disorder or depression
These are just SOME of the signs and symptoms of an unhealthy gut.
It’s also interesting to note that more than 90 percent of serotonin, the hormone that makes us feel happy, is produced in the gut. (orlandohealth.com).
So a healthy gut can lead to a happier person. But, if you notice your emotional health on the decline, it may be time to consider examining what may be happening on the inside.
Ways to Improve Gut Health
So now that you know the signs and symptoms of an unhealthy gut, what can you do to bring your stomach back to optimal health? With determination and discipline, the good news is that you can restore your gut health and ultimately improve your body’s immune response and general well-being. In my Free Guide for taking care of you and your sisterlocks, I touch upon a few ways to refocus on your gut health.
Below are seven (7) things that you can do right away to improve your gut health:
- Probiotics: Enrich your diet with probiotics and foods containing good bacteria (ie. Fermented foods like yogurts, kimchi, sourdough, kombucha, tempeh, and apple cider vinegar.
- Prebiotics: Prebiotics are foods that increase the body’s healthy bacteria. They are typically fibrous and are carbohydrates that your body doesn’t digest. Instead, they create a climate to support the good bacteria in your stomach.
- Exercise: Exercise keeps your body moving and stimulates your gut. It helps to improve the flow of blood to the muscles in your digestive tract and keeps the system moving. In my Free Guide, I share over 20 free workouts you can do to help keep your digestive system stimulated and flowing.
- Reducing antibiotics: Antibiotics may be necessary when you need help with severe medical conditions. However, an over-reliance on antibiotics can reduce the healthy gut bacteria vital to your overall health. Where possible, consider natural alternatives to overcome sickness rather than depending on antibiotics.
- Cut back on sugar: Sugar is hidden in so many foods that we eat. Read your labels and determine how much sugar is in your favorite foods. Cut back on sodas, baked goods, and candies.
- Keep stress in check: Stress is a significant hindrance to dietary health. Stress can release signals that affect how our intestines process our food and slow down digestion. Stress ultimately leads to physical discomfort in the stomach and other parts of your body.
- Rest: Sleep helps our body to regenerate cells. It also helps to continue the digestive process that is important in getting the vital nutrients from our gut to the rest of our bodies. If you aren’t sleeping well, your body’s mechanics slow down. Get enough sleep so that you can support the rest of your bodily functions.
Now that you are aware of how your gut affects your health, the signs of an unhealthy gut, and ways to improve your gut health, I hope that you will take care of your gut health and give it the tender-loving-care it needs. If you find that you may need some assistance with getting your gut health back on track, join the waitlist for my brand new 1:1 Gut Health Coaching program, Give Your Gut Some TLC.
If you feel too busy to think about improving your health, check out my six favorite tips to save more time and get more done.
If you need additional support on reaching your health goals, check out my free guide for taking care of you and your sisterlocks!
Your health is contained mainly in your gut. Take good care of it, and it will serve you well for years to come.
tashaonlock
Hey Sista! I’m Tasha, a Sisterlocks Lifestyle Blogger who helps busy women simplify their life so they can actually enjoy it, while looking and feeling their best. On the blog, I share tips and resources on the sisterlocks journey, at-home fitness, recipes, gut health, home decor, and the latest lifestyle must-haves.
Tiffany Carpenter
I must do better🤦🏾♀️. Out if the 7 things to improve health and the guy I can honestly only tic off one.. exercise! I love sugar and need to cut back or out, I worked graveyard on the jail for years as I went to school so I’m a might owl and don’t rest… I could go on but you get the point. Thanks for these tips & reminders. My mom has IBS so I’ll share this with her as well ❤️